Description of the Ingredients for Home Remedy with Reference to Their Medicinal Value - Essay Example

Home Remedy Introduction Home remedy or natural cure is a method of treatment of common ailments using natural ingredients like fruits, herbs and fruits. Home remedy is a part of traditional medicine. This type of medical treatment is gaining momentum all over the world because the treatment is not only inexpensive and simple, but also has no chemicals and has no side effects. Common ailments which can be cured using home remedies are common cold, acne, anemia, arthritis, back pain, child constipation, dark circles, diabetes, hair loss, dry skin and fever. Several herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables are useful as home remedies. In this essay some ingredients commonly available will be described with reference to their medicinal value. Some useful home remedy ingredients Honey Honey is a natural sweet material that is produced by honey bees from the secretions of various parts of living plants. It is defined as "the nectar and saccharine exudation of plants, gathered, modified and stored as honey in the honeycomb by honeybees, Apis melifera" (Olaitan, Adeleke, Oha, 2007). Many published studies have proved that honey application to wounds clears the infection of the wounds rapidly without any prolongation in wound healing. Infact, there are some reports that honey promotes active wound healing. Research in the antimicrobial action of honey has shown that the substance has many antimicrobial properties against various bacteria like pseudomonas aeruginosa which is resistant to antibiotics (Olaitan et al, 2007). Researchers are often perplexed by the beneficial effects of honey because it is the medium for many organisms like bacteria and yeast. The material is made up of mainly water and sugar. Other than these compounds, honey also has minerals, enzymes which have their origin from the saliva of the bees, and multivitamins. Honey has a characteristic taste and composition. It is highly viscous, acidic, hygroscopic and hyperosmolar (Olaitan et al, 2007). Thus the microorganisms which are present in honey are those which survive the physical and chemical properties of honey. They are mainly bacteria like Bacillus and Micrococcus and yeast like saccharomyces which come from bees, nectar and comb material (Olaitan et al, 2007). Research has shown that most of these microorganisms are in the dormant stage in the material and cannot grow or reproduce in that medium (Olaitan et al, 2007). Majority of these bacteria lose viability within 1-4 weeks (Olaitan et al, 2007). Those who continue to survive are spore forming organisms like clostridium species and bacillus cereus which can survive over 4 months to one year when stored in room temperature. Addition of water to honey supports the growth on various non-pathogenic organisms which inturn can kill pathogenic strains (Olaitan et al, 2007). Some of the bacterial strains which have been found to be affected by honey are those of shigella, salmonella, E.coli, V.cholera and many other gram positve and gram negative organisms. The cause for high microbicidal activity of honey has been attributed to certain phytochemical properties of honey along with acidity, high osmolarity and presence of hydrogen peroxide (Olaitan et al, 2007). The pH of honey is between 3.2 to 4.5 which is much below the survival and growth pH requirements of many organisma. The hydrogen peroxide is produced enzymically in the honey due to the action of glucose oxidase from the hypopharyngeal gland of bee. Research has thrown light on another impotant property of honey that destroys the bacteria (Olaitan et al, 2007). It has been found that low concentrations of honey stimulate the proliferation of immune cells like the B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, monocytes and phagocytes and triggers the release of various mediators inflammatory mediators like cytokines, interleukins and tumor necrosis factor which not only fight infection but also enhance would healing (Olaitan et al, 2007).Other ailments which can be treated using honey include Hay fever, asthma, recurrent cough problems, bronchitis, indigestion, stomach ulcers and burns. Myrrh This is a herb with excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties because of which it was used wodely in Greek wars. The herb, when consumed in the form of decoction is belived to increase circulation and heart beat rate. Myrrh is expected to increase the white blood cell count atleast four fold. It is not only antiseptic but also antibacterial and antiviral and has been use commonly to treat vaginal yeast infections. It stimulates the immune system to fight against candida. It is also useful to treat thrush and herplex simplex infections. Infact, this ingrediant is commonly used in several mouth washes, toothpastes and mouth gargles. Asafoetida Asafoetida is one of the culinary herbs. The compound contains ash, gum, resin and volatile oil. The main resin is asaresinotennol and is available with or without combination with ferrulic acid. The herb has many medicinal properties, the most significant of which is expulsion of wind from the stomach. When inhaled, the gum can prevent recurrent attacks of hysteria. The gum is mixed with honey, onion juice and betel leaf juice to treat respiratory conditions like asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis. Other conditions in which asafoetida is being used are nervous diseases, unwanted abortion, sterility, menstrual pain, leucorrhoea an premature labour. because of its digestive and antiflatulent properties, it is useful for postpartum women. When heated with lemon juice, it relieves tooth pain. It is an antidote for opium. Nigella Sativa Nigella Sativa or black seed or black cumin is an Arabian herb. It has been used as a natural home remedy for over 2000 years. It is from an annual flowering [lant and most grown in the Middle East and Asia. The seed was considered as a treatment for all ailments except death and Mohammed the Prophet recommended to lick this seed after mixing with honey. The seed is used in the treatment of several ailments like migraines, cancer, indigestion, vaginal infections, hypertension, ground seeds, urinary tract infections and worm infestations. The seeds are used to strengthen the immune system, to purify blood, irradiate prostate cancer and increase longevity. the mechanisms of action by which black seeds heal ailments are anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, promotion of lactation and strengthening of immune system. Thus it enhances breast feeding. Other ailments which can be cured using these seeds are common cold, dry cough, diarrhoea, heart complaints, head ache, ear ache, impaired vision, premature graying and hair loss. Boswellia Carterii Boswellia Carterii or Frankincense or olibans is another herb which is commonly available like Myrrh. This herb is used in the form of oil. It is useful in the treatment of abdominal pain and other digestive disorders, wounds, nausea, headaches and heavy bleeding. The oil speeds up secretions of the gastrointestinal tract and thus facilitates absorption and digestion of food. It also treats ailments of the digestive tract like ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. The oil expels secretions of the lung and thus acts as an expectorant. Thus it is useful in several respiratory disorders like bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. Since the oil contains boswellian acid, it is useful in the treatment of arthritis. other conditions in which the oil is useful is wounds, leprosy, wrinkles and acne. Conclusion Thus, many herbs and natural ingredients are useful in the treatment of various ailments. The main advantage of these ingredients is that they do not have chemicals and have no side effects. They are also easily available in our home or around in the garden. References Healthful honey. (2010). Honey-The Wonderful. Health Benefits of Honey. Retrieved on 29th October, 2010 from http://www.honey-health.com/ Home Remedies Guide. (2010). Asoefoetida-Medicinal Properties and Benefits. Retrieved on 29th October, 2010 from http://www.home-remedies-guide.com/herbs/asafoetida.htm Morris, G. (2010). Myrrh and Frankincense - Home Remedies For Yeast Infections? Retrieved on 29th October, 2010 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Myrrh-and-Frankincense---Home-Remedies-For-Yeast-Infections?&id=3817038 Olaitan, P.B., Adeleke, O.E., Ola, I.O. (2007). Honey: a reservoir for microorganisms and an inhibitory agent for microbes. African Health Science, 7(3), 159- 156. Trejo, B. (2010). Health benefits of Nigella Sativa. Helium. Retrieved on 29th October, 2010 from http://www.helium.com/items/1547829-health-benefits-of-nigella-sativa Suite101.com. (2001). Home Remedies Using Honey. Retrieved on 29th October, 2010 from http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/beekeeping_bees/78760 Read More